Special to the Daily WorldThe Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) will move forward withimplementing key recommendations from its Medicaid and CHIP (Children’sHealth Insurance Program) Redesign task forces and workgroups. It willnot, however, pursue wholesale restructuring of Georgia’s Medicaidprogram at this time because of increasing uncertainty at the federallevel.

The department will continue using a Care Management Organization (CMO)to service the Low-Income Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids(r) populationsin a full risk-based managed care environment. The department will workto improve the current program and incorporate many of the excellentideas received from stakeholders. The Aged, Blind and Disabledpopulations will continue with their current fee-for-service coverage.

DCH will also transition foster children to a single-designated CMO toachieve greater continuity of care for this special population.

In addition to this initiative, the department will continue to useinformation it gains from the redesign process. For example, thedepartment plans to improve Medicaid care by encouraging movement towardPatient-centered Medical Homes. This means that members will beencouraged to use their primary care physicians for health careservices.